With Falls official arrival rapidly approaching on September 22nd, the excitement is mounting in the towns surrounding the resort villages of Cashiers and Highlands as we await that very first hint of autumn on the mountain. In one months time, the lovely green hardwoods that line the mountaintops and valley floors of the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau will be transformed to a vibrant painters palette of color - red, yellow, orange and brown. (Be sure to mark your calendar for the First Annual Leaf Festival in Cashier the weekend of October 9 through 11!) In the meantime, we invite you to join us for delightfully mild days and loads of family fun in the mountains of Western North Carolina. The team at Silver Creek Real Estate Group has compiled a list of events taking place in our little corner of the world this September. We hope to see you, your friends and family up on the mountain soon!

September 1-5: Printmaking Workshop at The Bascom 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Taught by H. Aaron Hequembourg, this class will explore the method for producing wood blocks, printing the blocks on various thin papers and applying them to various surfaces. Cost to participate is $275/$250 for members. For more information, e-mail info@bigwhitedog.net.

September 4-6: I Hear America Singing The stirring music of Harold Arlen, Irving Berlin and Johnny Mercer will be performed at the Martin-Lipscomb Performing Arts Center in Highlands during Labor Day Weekend. Presented by Robert Ray and sponsored by Skyline Lodge and Jacks at Skyline Restaurant. All seats are just $25. Three performances only Friday @ 8 p.m., Saturday @ 8 p.m. and Sunday @ 2 p.m. Buy tickets online at www.highlandsperformingartscenter.org or reserve your seats by calling 828-526.9047.

September 5: Mountain Tail Waggers Walk and Pet Fest Come one, come all to this very special event in support of our furry, little four-legged friends. The Cashiers-Highlands Humane Society presents the very first Mountain Tail Waggers Walk which is slated to begin at the Highlands School with the finish line located on Pine Street in downtown Highlands the site of the super fun Pet Fest. Registration for the walk starts at 8 a.m., but walkers may also pre-register online at www.chhumanesociety.org. Pet Fest will run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and will include music, food, craft show, competitions, live demonstrations, and opportunities to microchip your pet. For more information, call 828.743.5752.

September 5-6: The Village Square Art & Craft Show 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in downtown Highlands at the Village Square and Kelsey Hutchinson Park. Will feature regional artisans in a variety of methods and mediums Fine art, baskets, folk art, musical instruments, turned wood, childrens clothing/accessories, pottery, jewelry, rustic furniture and more. Call 828.787.2021 for more information.

Sept. 5-Oct. 7: 100 Years of Land Conservation ongoing exhibition at Summit One Gallery. Artists have created new works inspired by the very special properties conserved by the Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust. For more information, call 828.526.2673.

Sept. 5-Oct. 10: Exhibition: Cat Chow: Beyond Fiber Art Must see exhibit at The Bascom. Display of the highly touted work of Catharine (Cat) Chow. The New Yorker called this NYC artist one of the most interesting and compelling young talents to come along in years! For more information, visit www.cat-chow.com or call 828-526-4929.

September 7: Art Duplicating Art An exhibition at Summit One Gallery featuring the works of local artists, depicting the beauty of the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau. A percentage of the receipts from sales will be donated to HCLT. For more information, call 828.526.2673.

September 8-9: The Repeated Object Workshop: Cat Chow 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at The Bascom. Two-day workshop in which students will have the opportunity to create a sculpture that is inspired by the idea of the repeated object. Cost to participate in this particular class is $300/$275 for members (to take all 3 workshops in the Cat Chow Series costs $625/$600 for members and includes some materials). For more information, visit www.cat-chow.com or call 828-526-4929.

September 10-11: The Artist as Collector Workshop: Cat Chow 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at The Bascom. In this second in a series two-day workshop, students will have the opportunity to create a work that is inspired by their passion for collecting objects and/or images. Enjoy a slide lecture, class discussion, show-and-tell and the creation of a finished work. Cost to participate in this particular class is $300/$275 for members (to take all 3 workshops in the Cat Chow Series costs $625/$600 for members and includes some materials). For more information, visit www.cat-chow.com or call 828-526-4929.

September 10-11: Landscaping & Gardening with Native Plants Highlands Biological Station. Evening includes refreshments and short tour plus program about the Southern Appalachians and the events that have shaped the forests and diversity of plant species we see around us. Native plant auction will conclude the event. Refreshments begin at 4 p.m. program to start at 6 p.m. For more information, call 828.526.2602.

September 12: Second Annual Highlands Motoring Festival Get ready to kick some tires and look under the hoods of some of Western North Carolinas coolest cars. Event created to benefit the Hudson Library. For more information or to register your car for the event (all cars must be manufactured before 1979), visit www.highlandsmotoringfestival.com.

September 12: Unconventional Adornment: Cat Chow 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at The Bascom. In this third in a series one-day workshop, students will have the opportunity to use unconventional materials to make a small wearable object. Enjoy a slide lecture of artists' works that incorporate unconventional objects, a demonstration of connecting techniques and the creation of a piece that adorns the body such as a piece of jewelry or an accessory. Cost to participate in this particular class is $175/$150 for members (to take all 3 workshops in the Cat Chow Series costs $625/$600 for members and includes some materials). For more information, visit www.cat-chow.com or call 828-526-4929.

September 13: Bel Canto 17th annual grand opera event begins at the Martin-Lipscomb Center for the Performing Arts in Highlands at 4 p.m. with dinner to follow at the Highlands Country Club. Performances include selections from Broadway musicals to classical operas. Proceeds from this event will be used to enhance The Bascoms permanent collection, and benefit the music programs at th Highlands School and the Highlands Community Child Development Center. For more information, call 828.526.1947.

September 14: Figure Study Sessions with Live Model 6 to 8 p.m. at The Bascom. Bring media of your choice: sketchpad, clay or paint box for a leisurely session of figure drawing, sculpting or painting from a nude model. Informal instruction is available. Cost is $20 per session/$15 for members. For more information, call 828-526-4929 or visit www.thebascom.org.

Sept. 14-Dec. 16: Young Artists Program In order to help engender a continuing love of the arts and give birth to some budding artists, The Bascom offers fun and thoughtful art classes geared to the skills and interests of children from pre-school to pre-teen, during the school year. Mondays 3 to 4 p.m. (grades 2-5); Tuesdays 11 to 11:30 a.m. (preschoolers) and 3 to 4 p.m. (grades K-1); and Wednesdays 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. (homeschoolers ages 4-7), 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. (homeschoolers ages 8-14), and 3 to 4 p.m. (grades K-2); Cost $15 for a 6-class session, preschool; $30 for a 6-class session, homeschoolers and grades 1-5. For more information, call 828-526-4929 or visit www.thebascom.org.

September 14-18: Gaining a Perspective on Drawing and Painting Workshop instructor Adrian Deckbar calls the ability to use perspective "power over space." Students will learn how to see the three-dimensional world so they can flatten it into a two-dimensional image. If you have struggled to make things look "real" and three-dimensional, this is the class for you. 1 to 4 p.m. Cost of workshop is $300/$275 members. For more information, call 828-526-4929 or visit www.adriandeckbar.com.

September 15: Geology Eco Tour Hiking tour hosted by the Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust free to Trust members and $25 donation for new friends. Reservations are required, and can be made by calling 828.526.1111 or emailing Julie.hitrust@earthlink.net. HCLT invites you to come see what youll discover

September 19: Field Trip around Highlands The Highlands Plateau Audubon Society hosts this FREE trip around the Highlands to look for Fall migrating birds. Meet at the public parking area next to Town Hall bright and early at 7:30 a.m. For additional information, call Brock Hutchins at 828.787.1387.

September 19: James (Jim) Landon Lecture - "Issues Affecting Antiquities and Art" 5 p.m. at The Bascom Admission is just $10/free to members. Atlanta attorney Jim Landon will present a brief history of the creation of museums and their collections, as well as the ethical and legal issues facing individuals and institutions when acquiring cultural property. He will reference the recovery of art plundered during the Second World War and the claims of countries of origin on antiquities now owned by some of the world's most prestigious museums. For more information, call 828-526-4929 or visit www.thebascom.org.

Sept. 21-25: Silk Painting Janet Taylors gorgeous silk scarves and ties (see www.janettaylorstudio.com) have been wildly successful in the Shop at The Bascom. Now she invites YOU to learn her secrets in this very special class at The Bascom. Best part is, students will leave with beautiful hand-painted scarf of their own. To register or sign up, visit www.thebascom.org or call 828.526.4949 ext. 100.

September 22: Blue Ridge Parkway Field Trip The Highlands Plateau Audubon Society hosts this trip around the Blue Ridge Parkway to look for Fall migrating birds. Meet at the public parking area next to Town Hall bright and early at 7:30 a.m. For additional information, call Brock Hutchins at 828.787.1387.

September 24: Cashiers Historical Societys Founders Day this very special annual celebration is designed to help make the past come alive for children and grown-ups alike as they are transported back to the time when Cashiers was first founded. Hosted at the beautiful, historic Zachary-Tolbert House and sponsored in part by the Rotary Club of Cashiers Valley. For more information, call 828.743.5752.

September 25-27: Fifth Annual Highlands Antique Show 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Highlands Recreation Center. High quality antiques from all of your favorite vendors and other exhibitors from around the world will be featured in this years show. Admission is just $12.

September 30: Understanding the Black Bear 6:30 p.m. Cashiers Village Green free to all. This special presentation by Bill Lea is part of the Village Nature Series, and is co-hosted by Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust and the Village Green. Contact HCLT for information at 828.526.1111 or email Julie.hitrust@earthlink.net.

Now thru Oct. 17 Southern Landscapes Exhibition Featuring the works of Lamar Dodd and Will Henry Stevens at the Bascom in Highlands. For more information, call 828-526-4929 or visit www.thebascom.org.

Now thru Oct. 30: Dave Russell Exhibition Stacked Stone Sculpture/Outdoors at the Bascom in Highlands. For more information, call 828-526-4929 or visit www.thebascom.org.